How are variable loads defined?

Launch the load creation command, either from the menu Modeling > Create a linear load, or from the element's context menu: "Load / selection".

Define the load intensity and orientation in its properties window. Select "local axes" in the Coordinate System field, to specify that the load be applied in the element's local axes.

Enter the load variation coefficients along the linear element.

- "Coefficient1" defines the load intensity at the first extremity of the linear element. The coefficient 1 specifies that load is applied at the fist extremity of the elements with full intensity (-20kN).

- 0.5 for "Coefficient2" specifies that the load is applied with half intensity at the second extremity of the element (-20kN x 0.5 = -10kN).

- The load is applied at the first extremity of the linear element at -20kN (1×20kN), with a linear variation to the second extremity, where the force is applied with -10kN (0.5×20kN).

Defining a variable load on a planar element

Create a planar load in a similar way as for the linear load.

Enter the load intensity in the properties window and select "local axes" as the reference coordinate system.

The load variation on the planar element is specified by three coefficients: "Coefficient1", "Coefficient2" and "Coefficient3". These values define the force intensity applied at the first three points of the planar element. The load will have a linear variation toward the two axes of the planar element (x,y).

When the three variation coefficients have the same value, the load is equally distributed on the element's surface.